JP2018114719A - Ink-jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet recording device having no means for accurately detecting an ink residual quantity of an ink chamber which reduces a risk of air ink.SOLUTION: An ink-jet recording device includes: an ink chamber for storing ink; a tank on which an injection port for injecting ink into the ink chamber is formed; a recording section which discharges ink stored in the ink chamber and records an image on a sheet; a display section which displays a screen; and a controller which periodically executes first notification processing (S54) of making a display section display a first notification screen of notifying a user that the user should recognize a residual quantity of ink stored in the ink chamber in a state in which the quantity of the ink stored in the ink chamber is a threshold residual quantity or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink tank type inkjet recording apparatus in which a user injects ink filled in an ink bottle into an ink chamber from an injection port. Further, in Patent Document 1, when it is estimated that ink has been injected into the ink chamber, the user is inquired about the presence or absence of the injection, and in response to a user operation indicating that the ink has been injected, A configuration for initializing is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-132221

  However, in the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the user does not always inject ink up to the upper limit of the ink chamber. That is, it is difficult to accurately grasp the remaining ink amount from the count value. When the recording unit ejects ink with the ink level lower than the outlet of the ink chamber, air enters the flow path from the ink chamber to the recording unit (hereinafter referred to as “air-in”). This causes a problem that the image recording quality is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for reducing the risk of air-in in an ink jet recording apparatus that does not have a means for accurately detecting the ink remaining amount in an ink chamber. It is to provide.

  (1) An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an ink chamber for storing ink, a tank in which an injection port for injecting ink into the ink chamber is formed, and ink stored in the ink chamber. A recording unit that discharges and records an image on the sheet; a display unit that displays a screen; and a controller that controls the operation of the recording unit and the display unit. At least a part of the outer surface of the tank is configured so that the ink stored in the ink chamber can be viewed from the outside. The recording unit can eject ink only when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is equal to or greater than the threshold remaining amount. The controller displays a first notification screen for notifying that the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink chamber should be visually recognized when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is equal to or greater than the threshold remaining amount. The 1st alerting | reporting process displayed on the said display part is performed periodically.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to periodically prompt the user to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber before the operation of the recording unit is restricted. Accordingly, it can be expected that the user performs the ink injection operation before the ink level becomes lower than the outlet of the ink chamber. As a result, the risk of air-in is reduced without having a means for accurately detecting the ink remaining amount in the ink chamber. Note that “execution of the first notification process periodically” is not limited to the repeated execution of the first notification process at regular time intervals, and the first notification process is repeatedly performed every time a predetermined condition is satisfied. To include.

  (2) Preferably, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a memory that stores a count value updated in a direction approaching the first threshold value according to the discharge of ink from the recording unit, and a pre-count value. Whenever the difference between the count value and the previous count value reaches a threshold change amount, the controller updates the previous count value with the first notification process and the count value at the time when the first notification process is executed. The first update process is executed.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber every time the ink consumption reaches the threshold change amount. Here, the absolute value of the count value may not accurately represent the actual ink remaining amount in the ink chamber. On the other hand, the difference between the count value and the previous count value represents the ink consumption almost accurately. Therefore, the risk of air-in is reduced by executing the first notification process at the above timing.

  (3) Preferably, the tank includes a plurality of the ink chambers and a plurality of the inlets. The memory stores a plurality of sets of the count value and the pre-count value corresponding to each of the plurality of ink chambers. The controller executes the first notification process every time one difference of the plurality of sets reaches the threshold change amount, and the count value corresponding to all the previous count values in the first update process. Update with.

  There is a high possibility that the user who has seen the first notification screen collectively checks the remaining amount of ink in all the ink chambers. Further, the ink consumption varies from ink chamber to ink chamber. Therefore, if only the previous count value in which the difference from the count value has reached the threshold change amount is updated in the first update process, the execution frequency of the first notification process becomes too high, and the user's workload for checking the ink remaining amount is increased. Becomes larger. Therefore, as in the above configuration, the first notification process is executed at an appropriate frequency that achieves both a reduction in the risk of air-in and a reduction in the work burden on the user by updating all the pre-count values in the first update process. be able to.

  (4) Preferably, the ink jet recording apparatus allows the ink injection into the ink chamber by covering the injection port and restricting the injection of ink into the ink chamber and exposing the injection port. A cover that is movable between exposed exposure positions, and a cover sensor for detecting the position of the cover. The controller detects the count value at the time when the cover is moved to the covering position in response to detecting through the cover sensor that the cover has been moved to the exposure position and moved to the covering position again. Then, the second update process for updating the pre-count value is executed.

  A user who has moved the cover is highly likely to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber. Therefore, as in the above configuration, the first notification process is executed at an appropriate frequency that achieves both a reduction in the risk of air-in and a reduction in the user's work load by updating the previous count value at the timing when the movement of the cover is detected. can do.

  (5) Preferably, the controller determines whether or not the user has approached the inkjet recording apparatus, and in response to determining that the user has approached in the first determination process, In response to determining that the difference between the count value and the previous count value is greater than or equal to the threshold change amount and determining that the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold change amount in the second determination process. The notification process and the first update process are executed.

  (6) For example, in the first determination process, the controller inputs an instruction to record an image on the sheet, finishes the process of the recording unit that records an image on the sheet, It is determined that the user has approached in response to the operation of the power button or the return of the inkjet recording apparatus from the sleep state.

  According to the above configuration, the first notification screen is displayed at the timing when the user comes near the ink jet recording apparatus. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an ink injection operation.

  (7) Preferably, the memory stores a confirmation flag. In response to receiving a confirmation operation indicating that the controller has confirmed the first notification screen before a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the first notification process, the controller sets a first flag in the confirmation flag. A second value is set in the confirmation flag in response to the fact that the confirmation operation has not been accepted until a predetermined time has elapsed since the first setting process for setting a value and the first notification process. Performing the second setting process, determining that the user has approached in the first determination process, and executing the second determination process in response to the first value being set in the confirmation flag, In response to determining that the user has approached in the first determination process and setting the second value in the confirmation flag, the first notification process is executed without executing the second determination process. .

  According to the said structure, it can be judged whether the user confirmed the 1st alerting | reporting screen. If the user has not confirmed the immediately preceding first notification screen, the first notification process is executed again at the timing when the user comes close to the inkjet recording apparatus regardless of the amount of change in the count value. As a result, the ink injection operation can be promoted more effectively.

  (8) Preferably, in the second determination process, the controller decreases the threshold change amount as the difference between the first threshold value and the count value is closer to zero.

  According to the above configuration, the frequency of execution of the first notification process increases as the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber decreases. As a result, the ink injection operation can be promoted more effectively.

  (9) Preferably, the controller determines whether or not a threshold time has elapsed since the execution of the first notification process immediately before in response to determining that the threshold change amount is equal to or greater than the threshold change amount in the second determination process. The first notification process and the first update process are executed in response to determining that the third determination process and the third determination process have elapsed.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when image recording is performed on a large number of sheets in a short time, it is possible to suppress the execution frequency of the first notification process from becoming too high. That is, the first notification process can be executed at an appropriate frequency that achieves both a reduction in the risk of air-in and a reduction in the work burden on the user.

  (10) Preferably, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a maintenance unit that forcibly discharges the ink in the recording unit from the nozzles. The controller repeatedly performs a maintenance process in which the maintenance unit discharges ink to the recording unit at a predetermined time interval, and the count value and the controller In response to determining that the difference between the pre-count values is greater than or equal to the threshold change amount, and determining that the difference between the previous count values is greater than or equal to the threshold change amount in the second determination process, The first update process is executed.

  The maintenance process is periodically executed regardless of a user instruction. For this reason, it is difficult for the user to recognize the amount of ink consumed by the maintenance process. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of air-in by determining whether or not to execute the first notification process at the timing at which the maintenance process is executed a threshold number of times.

  (11) Preferably, the ink jet recording apparatus allows the ink injection into the ink chamber by covering the injection port and restricting the injection of ink into the ink chamber and exposing the injection port. A cover movable between the exposed positions, a cover sensor for detecting the position of the cover, and an operation unit for receiving a user operation. In response to detecting, through the cover sensor, that the cover has been moved to the exposure position and again moved to the covering position by a user who has confirmed the first notification screen, An inquiry screen for inquiring whether or not the injection has been performed is displayed on the display unit, and the first operation or the second operation is accepted through the operation unit, and the first operation is accepted in the inquiry process And the initialization process for initializing the count value and the pre-count value, and the cover is moved to the exposure position and again moved to the covering position by a user who has not confirmed the first notification screen. The inquiry process is not executed in response to the fact that it has been detected through the cover sensor.

  According to the above configuration, the user who has confirmed the first notification screen is highly likely to inject ink into the ink chamber through the injection port. Therefore, it is desirable to execute the inquiry process at this timing and initialize the count value when the first operation is executed. On the other hand, a user who has not confirmed the first notification screen may have opened and closed the cover for purposes other than injecting ink. If the inquiry process is executed in this case, not only the operation burden on the user increases, but also the count value is initialized by an erroneous operation, and the risk of air-in increases. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable not to execute the inquiry process.

  (12) As an example, in response to detecting that the cover has been moved to the exposed position through the cover sensor when the first notification screen is being displayed, the controller again covers the cover. The inquiry processing is executed at the timing when the movement to the position is detected through the cover sensor. When the first notification screen is not displayed, the cover is moved to the exposure position and is again moved to the covering position. The inquiry process is not executed in response to the fact that this is detected through the cover sensor.

  (13) As another example, the memory stores a notification flag. The controller sets a third value for setting a third value in the notification flag in response to the execution of the first notification processing, and sets a fourth value in the notification flag in response to the execution of the inquiry processing. A fourth setting process for setting a value; a fourth determination process for determining a set value of the notification flag in response to detecting that the cover has been moved to the exposure position through the cover sensor; In response to the determination of the third value in the four determination process, the inquiry process is executed at a timing when the cover is detected again through the cover sensor, and the fourth determination process is performed. In response to determining that the value is the fourth value, the inquiry process is not performed at the timing when the cover is again detected by the cover sensor. .

  (14) Preferably, the controller is configured to determine whether a difference between the count value and the second threshold value that is 0 before the first threshold value and the difference between the count values is less than 0. A second notification process for displaying on the display unit a second notification screen for notifying that it is necessary to inject ink into the ink chamber in response to determining that the fifth determination process is less than zero. When the difference between the second threshold value and the count value is 0 or more, the first notification process is executed each time the difference between the count value and the previous count value reaches the threshold change amount.

  According to the above configuration, the first notification screen can be periodically displayed when the remaining amount of ink is relatively high, and the user can be strongly prompted to perform ink injection through the second notification screen when the remaining amount of ink decreases.

  (15) Preferably, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device through a communication network. In response to receiving a recording instruction for recording an image on a sheet from the external device through the communication unit, the controller executes a recording process for causing the recording unit to record an image on the sheet, and performs the first notification. In the processing, a notification instruction for instructing display of the first notification screen is transmitted to the external device through the communication unit.

  According to the above configuration, not only a user near the ink jet recording apparatus but also a user who may operate the ink jet recording apparatus through an external device can be prompted to check the ink remaining amount in the ink chamber.

  (16) Preferably, the controller executes the first notification process each time a threshold time elapses in a state where the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is equal to or greater than the threshold remaining amount.

  According to the above configuration, the user can periodically check the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber before the operation of the recording unit is restricted. Accordingly, it can be expected that the user performs the ink injection operation before the ink level becomes lower than the outlet of the ink chamber. This reduces the risk of air-in even if there is no means for accurately detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to periodically prompt the user to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber in a state before the operation of the recording unit is restricted. By the time it becomes low, it can be expected that the user performs the ink injection work. As a result, the risk of air-in is reduced without having a means for accurately detecting the ink remaining amount in the ink chamber.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the multifunction machine 10, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where the cover 70 is closed, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the cover 70 is opened. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the recording unit 24 and the ink tank 100. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the tank 100B. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the tank 100B. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the maintenance unit 80. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the multifunction machine 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the image recording process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing at the time of cover OPEN. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the inquiry process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the notification control process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. In this specification, the vertical direction 7 is defined on the basis of the posture of the multifunction device 10 installed so as to be usable (hereinafter referred to as “use posture”), and the side on which the opening 13 of the multifunction device 10 is provided. Is defined as a front side (front side), and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side (front side).

[Overall configuration of MFP 10]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the multifunction machine 10 includes a feed tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport unit 23, a recording unit 24, and an ink tank 100 that is an example of a tank. Is mainly provided. The components of the multifunction machine 10 are accommodated in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 14. The multifunction machine 10 has a print function for recording an image on a sheet by an inkjet recording method. The multifunction machine 10 may have various functions such as a facsimile function and a scanner function. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of an ink jet recording apparatus.

[Feed tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding tray 20 is inserted and removed in the front-rear direction 8 through an opening 13 formed in the front surface of the housing 14 and in the center portion in the left-right direction 9. The feed tray 20 can support a plurality of stacked sheets. The discharge tray 21 is disposed above the feeding tray 20 and is inserted and removed together with the feeding tray 20. The discharge tray 21 supports the sheet discharged by the transport unit 23.

[Conveying unit 23, recording unit 24]
The transport unit 23 transports the sheet supported by the feeding tray 20 along a transport path that extends to the discharge tray 21 via a position facing the recording unit 24. The conveyance unit 23 includes, for example, a plurality of rollers that rotate in contact with the sheet. The recording unit 24 records an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit 23 by discharging the ink stored in the ink tank 100. The recording unit 24 includes, for example, a carriage that moves in a main scanning direction that intersects the sheet conveyance direction, and a recording head that is mounted on the carriage and ejects ink from nozzles.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an ink tube 32 and a flexible flat cable 33 are connected to the recording unit 24. The ink tube 32 supplies the ink stored in the ink tank 100 to the recording unit 24. More specifically, four ink tubes 32B, 32M, 32C, and 32Y through which ink of each color (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) circulates (these may be collectively referred to as “ink tube 32”). .) Are extended from the ink tank 100 and connected to the recording unit 24 in a bundled state. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits a control signal output from the controller 130 (see FIG. 6) to the recording unit 24.

[Ink tank 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink tank 100 is placed in the internal space on the right front portion of the housing 14. In other words, the ink tank 100 is fixed to the multifunction machine 10 so that it cannot be easily removed from the housing 14. Note that “cannot be easily removed” means, for example, that an ordinary user cannot easily remove the ink tank 100 from the multifunction device 10 in a normal use state. It need not be impossible to remove 100.

  The ink tank 100 stores ink supplied to the recording unit 24. As shown in FIG. 1B, the ink tank 100 includes four tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. Each tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M stores ink of different colors. Specifically, black ink is stored in the tank 100B, yellow ink is stored in the tank 100Y, cyan ink is stored in the tank 100C, and magenta ink is stored in the tank 100M. However, the number of the tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M and the color of the stored ink are not limited to the above example.

  The four tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are arranged in a line along the left-right direction 9. Among the four tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the tank 100B is disposed on the rightmost side, and the tank 100M is disposed on the leftmost side. The tank 100B is wider in the left-right direction 9 than the other tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M. In addition, the tank 100B has a volume of an ink chamber 111B, which will be described later, larger than the other tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. However, the relationship between the arrangement and size of the tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M and the volume of the ink chamber 111 is not limited to the above example.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tank 100 </ b> B mainly includes a frame 141 and two films 142 and 143. The frame 141 is a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped whose dimension in the vertical direction 7 and the longitudinal direction 8 is longer than the dimension in the horizontal direction 9. The frame 141 is formed of a light-transmitting resin (for example, polypropylene) that allows the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 to be visually recognized from the outside of the tank 100B. The frame 141 is integrally molded by, for example, injection molding a resin material.

  The frame 141 mainly includes a front wall 101, a right wall 102, an upper wall 103, a lower wall 104, and a rear wall 105. On the other hand, a part of the right side surface and the left side surface of the frame 141 are open. Then, the films 142 and 143 are welded to the frame 141, whereby a part of the right side surface and the left side surface of the frame 141 are sealed. An internal space of the tank 100B defined by the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the upper wall 103, the lower wall 104, the rear wall 105, and the films 142 and 143 is an ink chamber 111B in which ink is stored. The ink chamber 111B may be defined by an inner wall (not shown) positioned inside the outer walls 101 to 105 of the frame 141, or may be partitioned into a plurality of small regions by a partition wall (not shown).

  The front wall 101 includes a standing wall 106 and an inclined wall 107. The standing wall 106 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The inclined wall 107 is a wall that connects the upper end of the standing wall 106 and the front end of the upper wall 103. The inclined wall 107 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The inclined wall 107 is provided with an injection port 112B for injecting ink into the ink chamber 111B. The inlet 112B passes through the inclined wall 107 in the thickness direction, and allows the ink chamber 111B to communicate with the outside of the tank 100B.

  The inlet 112B is closed by the cap 113B. As shown in FIG. 1A, the cap 113B attached to the inclined wall 107 is in close contact with the wall surface that defines the periphery of the inlet 112B, thereby closing the inlet 112B. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1B, the cap 113B removed from the inclined wall 107 opens the inlet 112B. The cap 113B is attached to and detached from the inclined wall 107 in a state where a cover 70 described later is positioned at the exposed position. Further, by removing the cap 113B from the injection port 112B, ink can be injected into the ink chamber 111B through the injection port 112B.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first line 146 and a second line 147 extending in the left-right direction 9 are provided on the outer surface of the standing wall 106. The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is approximately the same height as the liquid level when the preset maximum storage amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111 </ b> B in the usage posture of the multifunction machine 10. The maximum storage amount corresponds to, for example, the amount of ink stored in one ink bottle (not shown). The position of the second line 147 is below the first line 146 and above a detection position to be described later in the usage posture of the multifunction machine 10.

  The rear wall 105 is provided with a cylindrical ink supply unit 151 having an internal space. The ink supply unit 151 protrudes rearward from the outer surface of the rear wall 105. The tip of the ink supply unit 151 is opened as an ink outlet. Further, the internal space of the ink supply unit 151 is communicated with the ink chamber 111B through an ink flow path 153 described later. Then, the tip of the ink tube 32B is connected so as to cover the outer surface of the ink supply unit 151, whereby the ink stored in the ink chamber 111B is supplied to the ink tube 32B through the ink supply unit 151.

  The rear wall 105 is provided with a box-shaped detected part 152 having an internal space. The detected portion 152 has a transparency that transmits light emitted from the light emitting portion 74 described later. The detected part 152 protrudes rearward from the outer surface of the rear wall 105. The internal space of the detected portion 152 is in communication with the ink chamber 111B. That is, when the ink level in the ink chamber 111 </ b> B is higher than the installation position of the detected portion 152, ink exists in the internal space of the detected portion 152. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 111 </ b> B is lower than the installation position of the detected part 152, no ink exists in the internal space of the detected part 152.

  The ink flow path 153 is an elongated passage for supplying the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 </ b> B to the ink supply unit 151. The ink channel 153 communicates with the ink chamber 111 </ b> B at a position where one end is in contact with the inner surface of the lower wall 104, and the other end communicates with the internal space of the ink supply unit 151. More specifically, the ink flow path 153 extends to the left from the communication position with the ink chamber 111B, extends upward at the left end of the tank 100B, and extends to the right from the same height as the ink supply unit 151. 151 communicates with the internal space 151.

  Further, the tank 100B is provided with an air communication portion 155. The atmosphere communication unit 155 is an atmosphere passage that communicates the ink chamber 111B with the atmosphere. The air communication part 155 is provided above the injection port 112B in the vertical direction 7. One end of the atmosphere communicating portion 155 communicates with the ink chamber 111 </ b> B through the notch 156, and the other end communicates with the outside of the tank 100 </ b> B through the through hole 157 that penetrates the upper wall 103. A labyrinth passage (not shown) or a semipermeable membrane may be provided inside the atmosphere communication portion 155.

[Remaining amount sensor 73]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the multifunction machine 10 includes a remaining amount sensor 73 having a light emitting unit 74 and a light receiving unit 75. The light emitting part 74 and the light receiving part 75 are arranged facing the left-right direction 9 with the detected part 152 interposed therebetween. The light emitting unit 74 outputs light (for example, visible light or infrared light) that passes through the wall of the detected portion 152 and does not pass through the black ink to the light receiving unit 75. The light receiving unit 75 outputs a remaining amount signal to the controller 130 according to whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit 74 and transmitted through the detected unit 152 has been received. That is, the remaining amount sensor 73 outputs a remaining amount signal corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 </ b> B to the controller 130.

  In the remaining amount sensor 73 according to the present embodiment, the first remaining amount signal corresponding to the presence of ink at the detection position in the detected portion 152 or the absence of ink at the detection position in the detected portion 152. A corresponding second remaining amount signal is output. In the present embodiment, the signal level of the first remaining amount signal is 0V, and the signal level of the second remaining amount signal is 3.3V. That is, “the remaining amount sensor 73 outputs a remaining amount signal” includes that the signal level is 0V. However, the combination of signal levels is not limited to the above example. The same applies to the position signal of the cover sensor 72 described later.

  The detection position is a position where the height in the vertical direction 7 is the same as that of the light emitting unit 74 and the light receiving unit 75 in the internal space of the detected unit 152. The position in the vertical direction 7 of the detection position is below the second line 147 and slightly above the internal space of the ink supply unit 151 in the usage posture of the multifunction machine 10. That is, when the ink level in the ink chamber 111B coincides with the detection position, the internal space of the ink supply unit 151 is filled with ink. On the other hand, if the ink level in the ink chamber 111B falls below the detection position, the air that has entered the ink chamber 111B through the atmosphere communicating portion 155 may be mixed into the internal space of the ink supply portion 151. The difference in the vertical direction 7 between the detection position and the internal space of the ink supply unit 151 is determined in advance, for example, based on an assumed ink amount necessary for recording an image on one sheet.

  The remaining amount signal output from the remaining amount sensor 73 is switched from the first remaining amount signal to the second remaining amount signal at the timing when the ink level in the ink chamber 111B falls below the detection position. Hereinafter, the state of the ink chamber 111B when the second remaining amount signal is output from the remaining amount sensor 73 is referred to as “hard empty”. That is, “hard empty” refers to a state immediately before air is mixed into the internal space of the ink supply unit 151, for example. Hard empty is an example in which the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111B is less than the threshold remaining amount. The threshold remaining amount corresponds to, for example, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111B when the ink level is at the detection position.

  The basic configuration of the tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M may be the same as that of the tank 100B. However, the detection target 152 is not provided in the tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, the controller 130 cannot detect the amount of ink stored in the ink chambers 111Y, 111C, and 111M by the remaining amount sensor 73. Hereinafter, the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M may be collectively referred to as “ink chamber 111”, and the inlets 112B, 112Y, 112C, and 112M may be collectively referred to as “injector 112”. Yes, the caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, and 113M may be collectively referred to as “caps 113”.

[Cover 70]
The front surface of the ink tank 100 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through an opening 22 formed on the front surface of the housing 14 and at the right end in the left-right direction 9. The multifunction device 10 rotates between a covering position that covers the opening 22 (position shown in FIG. 1A) and an exposure position that exposes the opening 22 (position shown in FIG. 1B). It has a possible cover 70. The cover 70 is supported by the casing 14 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction 9 in the vicinity of the lower end of the casing 14 in the vertical direction 7.

  The covering position is a position where the cover 70 covers all the inlets 112B, 112Y, 112C, and 112M and restricts the injection of ink into all the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M. In addition, the whole inlet 112 may be covered by the cover 70 at the covering position, or a part of the inlet 112 may be covered. The exposure position is a position where all the injection ports 112B, 112Y, 112C, and 112M are exposed to the outside of the multi-function device 10 and ink injection into all the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M is allowed.

  A series of ink injection operations by the user is as follows, for example. First, the user moves the cover 70 at the covering position to the exposed position, and removes the cap 113 of the injection port 112 corresponding to the ink color to be injected. Next, the user inserts the tip of the ink bottle into the opened inlet 112 and injects all the ink in the ink bottle into the ink chamber 111. Next, the user who has finished injecting the ink attaches the removed cap 113 to the injection port 112 and moves the cover 70 to the covering position.

  Further, the cover 70 has a transmission window 71 that faces the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 at the covering position. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 through the front wall 101 regardless of whether the cover 70 is at the covering position or the exposed position. However, the cover 70 may not have the transmission window 71. In this case, the user who wants to check the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 needs to move the cover 70 to the exposure position.

[Cover sensor 72]
As shown in FIG. 6, the multifunction machine 10 has a cover sensor 72. The cover sensor 72 may be, for example, a mechanical sensor such as a switch that contacts and separates the cover 70, or may be an optical sensor that blocks or transmits light depending on the position of the cover 70. The cover sensor 72 outputs a position signal corresponding to the position of the cover 70 to the controller 130.

  The cover sensor 72 receives a first position signal corresponding to the cover 70 being located at the covering position, or a second position signal corresponding to the cover 70 being located at a position different from the covering position (for example, an exposure position). To 130. In the present embodiment, the signal level of the first position signal is 0V, and the signal level of the second position signal is 3.3V. Hereinafter, the change in the position signal output from the cover sensor 72 from the first position signal to the second position signal is referred to as “cover OPEN”, and the change from the second position signal to the first position signal is described as “ It is written as “COVER CLOSE”.

[Maintenance unit 80]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the printer 11 further includes a maintenance unit 80 that maintains the recording unit 24. The maintenance unit 80 forcibly discharges ink, air, and foreign matter in the nozzles of the recording head in order to suppress a decrease in image recording quality in a recording process to be described later. As shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance unit 80 includes a cap 81, a tube 82, a pump 83, and a drainage tank 84.

  The cap 81 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the recording head of the recording unit 24. The cap 81 in close contact with the recording head covers the nozzles formed on the recording head. The tube 82 is a passage from the cap 81 to the drainage tank 84 via the pump 83. The pump 83 is, for example, a rotary tube pump. The pump 83 sucks ink or the like in the nozzles through the cap 81 and the tube 82. Then, the ink or the like sucked and removed by the pump 83 is stored in the drainage tank 84. The specific configuration of the maintenance unit is not limited to the above example, and the inside of the nozzle of the recording unit 24 may be pressurized to forcibly discharge ink or the like.

  The controller 130 uses the maintenance unit 80 to repeatedly perform maintenance processing at predetermined time intervals. More specifically, the controller 130 responds to the fact that a predetermined time has passed since the maintenance process was executed immediately before, or the user operation instructing the execution of the maintenance process was accepted through the operation unit 17. Execute maintenance processing. The maintenance process is a process of moving the carriage of the recording unit 24 to a position facing the cap 81, covering the nozzles of the recording unit 24 with the caps 81, and driving the pump 83 to forcibly discharge ink from the nozzles.

[Display unit 15]
The multifunction machine 10 includes a display unit 15 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The display unit 15 displays information to be notified to the user as a message. Although the specific configuration of the display unit 15 is not particularly limited, for example, a liquid crystal display (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (abbreviation of Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or the like can be employed.

  The display unit 15 according to the present embodiment is a rectangle of 8 dots long × 80 dots wide. That is, the display unit 15 can display a maximum of 16 characters (including spaces) of 8 dots in length × 5 dots in width (about 8 mm in length × about 5 mm in width). Further, when a character string exceeding 16 characters is to be displayed on the display unit 15, the character string is scroll-displayed. Furthermore, when it is going to display the character string of several lines on the display part 15, the character string of each line is displayed in order. However, the screen size of the display unit 15 is not limited to the above example.

[Operation unit 17]
The multifunction machine 10 includes an operation unit 17 that receives user operations. The operation unit 17 is an interface that receives an input of an instruction to the multifunction device 10 from a user. The operation unit 17 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a plurality of push buttons such as a numeric keypad 17A and a power button 17B. However, the push button provided in the operation unit 17 is not limited to the above-described example, and may be direction keys corresponding to “up”, “down”, “right”, and “left”. The specific configuration of the operation unit 17 is not limited to a push button, and may be a touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 15.

  The operation unit 17 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressed button to the controller 130. The operation unit 17 according to the present embodiment has a first operation signal corresponding to pressing of the [1] button included in the numeric keypad 17A, and a second corresponding to pressing of the [2] button included in the numeric keypad 17A. An operation signal, a third operation signal corresponding to pressing of the [9] button included in the numeric keypad 17A, or a fourth operation signal corresponding to pressing of the power button 17B is output to the controller 130. The operation unit 17 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the button to the controller 130 when another button is pressed.

  Hereinafter, the fact that the first operation signal is output from the operation unit 17 will be referred to as “[1] button is pressed”, and the fact that the second operation signal is output from the operation unit 17 will be described as “[2] button is That the third operation signal is output from the operation unit 17 is expressed as “the [9] button has been pressed” and the fourth operation signal is output from the operation unit 17. Indicated as “the power button 17B was pressed”. However, the buttons corresponding to the first operation signal, the second operation signal, the third operation signal, and the fourth operation signal are not limited to the above example.

[Communication unit 25]
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the multifunction machine 10 includes a communication unit 25. The communication unit 25 is an interface for communicating with an external device. That is, the multifunction machine 10 transmits various data to the external device through the communication unit 25 and receives various data from the external device through the communication unit 25. The communication unit 25 may function as a FAX receiving unit that receives FAX data from an external device. A specific example of the communication unit 25 is not particularly limited. For example, the communication unit 25 may be a LAN interface for connecting to a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, which is an example of a communication network, or a USB interface for attaching / detaching a USB cable. May be.

[Power supply unit 120]
The multifunction machine 10 has a power supply unit 120. The power supply unit 120 supplies the power supplied from the external power supply through the power plug to each component of the multifunction machine 10. More specifically, the power supply unit 120 outputs the power acquired from the external power supply as drive power (for example, 24V) to the transport unit 23, the recording unit 24, and the like, and outputs to the controller 130 as control power (for example, 5V). To do. Furthermore, the power supply unit 120 includes an internal power supply 121. The power supply unit 120 charges the internal power supply 121 with a part of the power supplied from the external power supply when the plug is in an ON state described later.

  The power supply unit 120 can be switched between a plug ON state in which a power plug is attached and a plug OFF state in which the power plug is removed. The plug ON state is a state in which power is supplied from an external power source through the attached power plug. The plug OFF state is a state in which no power is supplied from an external power source. That is, the power supply unit 120 charges the internal power supply 121 with a part of the power supplied from the external power supply when the plug is in the ON state. On the other hand, when the plug is OFF, the internal power supply 121 is not charged.

  Further, the power supply unit 120 in the plug ON state can be switched between the switch ON state and the switch OFF state based on the power supply signal output from the controller 130. The controller 130 switches the power supply unit 120 from the switch OFF state to the switch ON state in response to the power button 17B being pressed when the power supply unit 120 is in the switch OFF state. Further, the controller 130 switches the power supply unit 120 from the switch ON state to the switch OFF state in response to the power button 17B being pressed when the power supply unit 120 is in the switch ON state.

  In the switch OFF state, for example, power is supplied to the controller 130 and the operation unit 17 among the components of the multifunction machine 10, and the transport unit 23, the recording unit 24, the display unit 15, the maintenance unit 80, and the communication unit 25. This is a state in which no power is supplied. In other words, the switch OFF state is a state in which the controller 130 and the operation unit 17 are operable, and the transport unit 23, the recording unit 24, the display unit 15, the maintenance unit 80, and the communication unit 25 are inoperable. The cover sensor 72 and the remaining amount sensor 73 may or may not be supplied with power. The switch ON state is a state in which the number of components to which power is supplied is larger than that in the switch OFF state.

  Furthermore, the power supply unit 120 in the switch ON state can be switched between a drive state and a sleep state based on a power supply signal output from the controller 130. The controller 130 switches the power supply unit 120 from the sleep state to the driving state in response to the operation unit 17 being operated or receiving information through the communication unit 25. Further, the controller 130 switches the power supply unit 120 from the drive state to the sleep state in response to a time when the operation unit 17 is not operated and information is not received through the communication unit 25 has reached a predetermined time.

  The driving state is a state in which power is supplied to all the components of the multifunction machine 10. In other words, the driving state is a state in which all the components of the multifunction machine 10 are operable. In the sleep state, power is supplied to the controller 130, the operation unit 17, the communication unit 25, the cover sensor 72, and the remaining amount sensor 73, and power is supplied to the display unit 15, the transport unit 23, and the recording unit 24. It is not in a state. In other words, the sleep state means that the controller 130, the operation unit 17, the communication unit 25, the cover sensor 72, and the remaining amount sensor 73 can operate, and the display unit 15, the transport unit 23, the recording unit 24, and the maintenance unit 80. Is inoperable.

[Controller 130]
As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores a program for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even in the plug OFF state. The ROM 132, the RAM 133, and the EEPROM 134 are examples of memories.

  The EEPROM 134 stores count values in association with the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M. For example, the count value according to the present embodiment is set to an initial value (for example, 0) in S46 described later, and is counted up according to the amount of ink discharged from the recording unit 24 in S16 described later. Hereinafter, the count value corresponding to the ink chamber 111B is expressed as “count value B”, the count value corresponding to the ink chamber 111Y is expressed as “count value Y”, and the count value corresponding to the ink chamber 111C is expressed as “count value”. The count value corresponding to the ink chamber 111M is expressed as “count value M”.

  The EEPROM 134 stores a first threshold value and a second threshold value in association with the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M. The first threshold value is set to a value (for example, 95) slightly smaller than the maximum storage amount (for example, 100) that can be stored in the corresponding ink chamber 111, for example. The difference between the maximum storage amount corresponding to the ink chamber 111B and the first threshold corresponds to, for example, the threshold remaining amount described above. The second threshold value is set to a value (for example, 85) that is closer to the initial value of the count value than the first threshold value. The difference between the maximum storage amount and the second threshold corresponds to, for example, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 when the ink level matches the second line 147.

  Hereinafter, the state of the ink chamber 111 when the difference between the corresponding first threshold value and the count value (first threshold value−count value) is less than 0 is referred to as “soft empty”, and the difference between the corresponding second threshold value and the count value. The state of the ink chamber 111 when (second threshold−count value) is less than 0 is denoted as “ink low”. That is, the ink low occurs before the soft empty. Also, ideally or theoretically, the soft empty timing coincides with the hard empty timing. The difference between the first threshold value or the second threshold value and the count value can be used as an estimated value of the ink amount stored in the corresponding ink chamber 111. Soft empty is an example in which the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is less than the threshold remaining amount.

  The relationship between the count value, the first threshold value, and the second threshold value is not limited to the above example. As another example, an initial value (for example, 100) may be set in S46, and the count value may be counted down according to the amount of ink discharged from the recording unit 24 in S16. The first threshold (for example, 5) may be smaller than the second threshold (for example, 15). In this case, soft empty is determined by (count value−first threshold), and ink low is determined by (count value−second threshold).

  That is, the count value may be updated in S16 in a direction approaching the first threshold value. The “direction approaching the first threshold value” represents the relationship between the count value for which the initial value is set and the first threshold value. That is, the count value to be counted up is continuously counted up even after reaching the first threshold value. Similarly, the count value to be counted down is continuously counted down even after reaching the first threshold value. Also, the second threshold value may be a value that makes the difference from the count value 0 before the first threshold value.

  The EEPROM 134 stores a soft empty flag and an ink low flag in association with the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M. The soft empty flag is information indicating whether or not the corresponding ink chamber 111 is soft empty. In the soft empty flag, a value “ON” corresponding to being soft empty, or a value “OFF” corresponding to not being soft empty is set. The inclaw flag is information indicating whether or not the corresponding ink chamber 111 is ink low. A value “ON” corresponding to ink low or a value “OFF” corresponding to not ink low is set in the inclaw flag.

  In the soft empty flag according to the present embodiment, for example, “ON” is set in response to the difference between the corresponding first threshold value and the count value being less than 0 in S16, and “OFF” is set in S46. . In addition, the ink low flag according to the present embodiment is set to “ON”, for example, when the difference between the corresponding second threshold value and the count value is less than 0 in S16, and “OFF” is set in S46. Is done. The initial values of the soft empty flag and the ink low flag are “OFF”.

  The EEPROM 134 stores a hard empty flag. The hard empty flag is information indicating whether or not a hard empty has occurred when the recording unit 24 has recently discharged ink. In the hard empty flag, a value “ON” corresponding to the hard empty state or a value “OFF” corresponding to the hard empty state is set. The hard empty flag according to the present embodiment is, for example, “in response to the fact that the remaining amount signal output from the remaining amount sensor 73 is switched from the first remaining amount signal to the second remaining amount signal during the execution of S15 described later. “ON” is set, and “OFF” is set in S46. The initial value of the hard empty flag is “OFF”.

  Hereinafter, the soft empty flag and the ink low flag corresponding to the ink chamber 111B are referred to as “soft empty flag B” and “ink low flag B”, and the soft empty flag and the ink low flag corresponding to the ink chamber 111Y are referred to as “soft empty flag B”. Flag Y ”and“ Ink low flag Y ”, and the soft empty flag and ink low flag corresponding to the ink chamber 111C are expressed as“ soft empty flag C ”and“ ink low flag C ”, corresponding to the ink chamber 111M. The soft empty flag and the ink low flag to be referred to as “soft empty flag M” and “ink low flag M”. In the present embodiment, since the remaining amount sensor 73 is provided only in the tank 100B, the hard empty flag indicates the state of the ink chamber 111B. In this case, the soft empty flag B can be omitted.

  Further, the EEPROM 134 stores pre-count values in association with the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M. The pre-count value according to the present embodiment is set to an initial value (for example, 0) in S46 described later, and is overwritten with the corresponding count value in S34, S37, and S59 described later. Hereinafter, the pre-count value corresponding to the ink chamber 111B is expressed as “pre-count value B”, the pre-count value corresponding to the ink chamber 111Y is expressed as “pre-count value Y”, and the pre-count corresponding to the ink chamber 111C. The value is expressed as “pre-count value C”, and the pre-count value corresponding to the ink chamber 111M is expressed as “pre-count value M”.

  The difference between the corresponding count value and the previous count value (count value−previous count value) indicates a change amount of ink stored in the corresponding ink chamber 111 (hereinafter referred to as “ink change amount”). The timing for calculating the amount of ink change (that is, the timing for initializing the pre-count value) is input through the operation unit 17 that, for example, the timing at which the cover 70 is opened or closed (S34, S37), Timing (S <b> 46), timing (S <b> 59) when the user confirms a remaining amount check notification screen described later, and the like.

  Further, the EEPROM 134 stores a confirmation flag. The confirmation flag is information indicating whether the user has confirmed the remaining amount check notification screen. A first value “ON” corresponding to the confirmation of the remaining amount check notification screen or a second value “OFF” corresponding to not confirming the remaining amount check notification screen is set in the confirmation flag. The initial value of the confirmation flag is the second value “OFF”. The confirmation flag may be stored in the RAM 133.

  Furthermore, the EEPROM 134 stores a notification flag. The notification flag is information indicating whether or not a first notification process (S54) described later is being executed. In the notification flag, a third value “ON” corresponding to the execution of the first notification processing or a fourth value “OFF” corresponding to the first notification processing not being executed is set. The initial value of the notification flag is the fourth value “OFF”. The notification flag may be stored in the RAM 133.

  Connected to the ASIC 135 are a transport unit 23, a recording unit 24, a display unit 15, a maintenance unit 80, a communication unit 25, an operation unit 17, a cover sensor 72, and a remaining amount sensor 73. The controller 130 causes the conveyance unit 23 to convey the sheet, causes the recording unit 24 to eject ink, causes the display unit 15 to display a screen, causes the maintenance unit 80 to maintain the recording unit 24, and causes the communication unit 25 to communicate with an external device. Let In addition, the controller 130 acquires an operation signal from the operation unit 17, acquires a position signal from the cover sensor 72, and acquires a remaining amount signal from the remaining amount sensor 73. For example, the controller 130 reads the position signal output from the cover sensor 72 and the remaining amount signal output from the remaining amount sensor 73 at predetermined time intervals (for example, 50 msec).

  The controller 130 also includes an internal clock (so-called hardware clock) that outputs time information. The internal clock is updated by the power supplied from the external power source through the power supply unit 120 when the power supply unit 120 is in the plug ON state (that is, the switch OFF state, the switch ON state, the sleep state, and the driving state). On the other hand, the internal clock is updated by the power supplied from the internal power supply 121 when the power supply unit 120 is in the plug OFF state. When the power charged in the internal power supply 121 is depleted, the time information output from the internal clock is reset to an initial value (for example, a NULL value).

[Operation of MFP 10]
With reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the operation of the multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Each process shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 is executed by the CPU 131 of the controller 130. Note that the following processes may be executed by the CPU 131 reading out and executing a program stored in the ROM 132, or may be realized by a hardware circuit mounted on the controller 130.

[Image recording processing]
The controller 130 executes the image recording process shown in FIG. 7 in response to the recording instruction being input to the multifunction device 10. The recording instruction is an instruction for causing the multi-function peripheral 10 to execute a recording process for recording an image indicated by image data on a sheet. The acquisition destination of the recording instruction is not particularly limited. For example, the recording instruction may be acquired from the user through the operation unit 17 or may be acquired from an external device through the communication unit 25. The recording instruction may be an instruction to record an image indicated by FAX data on a sheet.

  First, the controller 130 determines the set values of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flags Y, C, and M (S11). More specifically, the controller 130 determines whether “ON” is set in at least one of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flag Y, C, or M (S11: ON), and the hard empty flag and the soft empty flag Y, C. , M is determined whether “OFF” is set (S11: OFF). Then, in response to determining that “ON” is set in at least one of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flags Y, C, and M (S11: ON), the controller 130 displays an empty notification screen. 15 is displayed (S12).

  The empty notification screen is a screen for notifying that recording processing cannot be executed unless ink is injected. More specifically, a character string “CANNOT PRINT” and a character string “REFILL INK [*]” are alternately displayed on the empty notification screen. [*] Is replaced with characters representing ink colors ("Bk", "Y", "C", "M"). The controller 130 displays, for example, characters indicating the color of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 corresponding to the flag set to “ON” among the hard empty flag and the soft empty flags Y, C, and M as an empty notification screen. Should be included. The controller 130 continues to display the empty notification screen on the display unit 15 until the cover OPEN is detected through the cover sensor 72 (S13: No).

  Next, in response to the detection of the cover OPEN through the cover sensor 72 (S13: Yes), the controller 130 executes processing at the time of the cover OPEN (S14). The processing at the time of the cover OPEN is executed, for example, in response to the movement of the cover 70 from the covering position to the exposure position when the multifunction machine 10 is in a standby state (a state in which an image recording process described later is not executed). The The process at the time of the cover OPEN is a process of prompting the user to inject ink into the ink chamber 111 and confirming with the user whether or not the ink has been injected into the ink chamber 111. Details of the processing at the time of the cover OPEN will be described with reference to FIG.

[Process during cover OPEN]
First, the controller 130 determines the set values of the ink low flags B, Y, C, and M (S31). In the processing at the time of the cover OPEN executed in S14, “ON” is always set to at least one of the ink low flags B, Y, C, and M (S31: ON). Then, in response to determining that “ON” is set in at least one of the ink-low flags B, Y, C, and M (S31: ON), the controller 130 displays the injection notification screen. 15 is displayed (S35).

  For example, a character string “REFILL INK [*]” and a character string “THEN CLOSE INK COVER” are alternately displayed on the injection notification screen. [*] Is replaced with characters representing the ink color stored in the ink chamber 111 of the inkrow. Then, the controller 130 continuously displays the injection notification screen on the display unit 15 until the cover CLOSE is detected through the cover sensor 72 (S36: No).

  The user who has seen the injection notification screen can remove the cap 113 from the injection port 112 and inject ink into the ink chamber 111. The user who has injected the ink can close the injection port 112 with the cap 113 and move the cover 70 to the covering position. Here, the user may inject only ink of the ink color notified on the injection notification screen, may inject ink of all colors, or may not inject ink of any color. However, the controller 130 cannot detect which ink color has been injected.

  Then, in response to detecting the cover CLOSE through the cover sensor 72 (S36: Yes), the controller 130 sets all count values at the time of detecting the cover CLOSE to the corresponding pre-count values (S37). The process of S37 is an example of a second update process. Further, the controller 130 executes an inquiry process in response to the detection of the cover CLOSE through the cover sensor 72 (S36: Yes) (S38). The inquiry process is a process of inquiring the user whether or not ink has been injected into the ink chamber 111 and initializing the count value and the pre-count value in accordance with an answer from the user. Details of the inquiry process will be described with reference to FIG.

[Query processing]
First, the controller 130 displays a pre-inquiry screen on the display unit 15 (S41). The prior inquiry screen is a screen for inquiring whether or not ink has been injected into at least one of the ink chambers 111. For example, a character string “DID YOU REFILL?” And a character string “1. YES, 2. NO” are alternately displayed on the prior inquiry screen. Then, the controller 130 continuously displays the pre-inquiry screen on the display unit 15 until the third operation or the fourth operation is received through the operation unit 17 (S42).

  The third operation is a user operation corresponding to injecting ink into at least one of the ink chambers 111, and corresponds to pressing of the [1] button, for example. The fourth operation is a user operation corresponding to not injecting ink into the ink chamber 111, and corresponds to, for example, pressing of the [2] button. The process of S41 and S42 is an example of a prior inquiry process.

  Next, the controller 130 causes the display unit 15 to display an inquiry screen for the ink chamber 111M in response to pressing of the [1] button during display of the advance inquiry screen (S42: YES) (S43). ). The inquiry screen is a screen for inquiring whether or not ink has been injected into the ink chamber 111M up to the maximum storage amount. For example, a character string “MINK FULL?” And a character string “1. YES, 2. NO” are alternately displayed on the inquiry screen. The controller 130 continues to display the inquiry screen on the display unit 15 until the first operation or the second operation is received through the operation unit 17 (S44).

  The first operation is a user operation corresponding to injecting ink up to the maximum storage amount into the ink chamber 111M, and corresponds to, for example, pressing the [1] button. The second operation is a user operation corresponding to not injecting ink into the ink chamber 111M, and corresponds to, for example, pressing of the [2] button. The first operation and the third operation may correspond to pressing of the same button or may correspond to pressing of different buttons. The same applies to the second operation and the fourth operation. The processing of S43 and S44 is an example of inquiry processing.

  Next, in response to the [1] button being pressed during the display of the inquiry screen for the ink chamber 111M (S44: YES), the controller 130 does not execute the process of S45, and the count value M In addition, an initial value (= 0) is set to the previous count value M, and “OFF” is set to the soft empty flag M and the ink-low flag M (S46). The process of S46 is an example of an initialization process. On the other hand, in response to the [2] button being pressed during the display of the inquiry screen for the ink chamber 111M (S44: NO), the controller 130 does not execute the processes of S45 and S46, but after S47. Execute the process.

  Next, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S43 to S46 for all the ink chambers 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111B (S47: No → S48). In S43 to S46 that are repeatedly executed, the controller 130 initializes the count value, the previous count value, the soft empty flag, and the ink low flag corresponding to the target ink chamber 111 when the [1] button is pressed. , [2] button is not initialized when pressed.

  Further, in S43 to S46 for the ink chamber 111B, the controller 130 determines whether or not it is currently hard empty in response to pressing of the [1] button while the inquiry screen is displayed (S44: YES). Judgment is made (S45). Then, the controller 130 initializes the count value B, the previous count value B, the hard empty flag, the soft empty flag B, and the ink low flag B in response to determining that the current state is not hard empty (S45: No). (S46). On the other hand, in response to determining that the current state is hard empty (S45: Yes), the controller 130 executes the processing after S47 without executing the processing of S46.

  Then, the controller 130 ends the inquiry process in response to the execution of the processes of S43 to S46 for all the ink chambers 111 (S47: Yes). Note that the order of the ink chambers 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111B that are the targets of S43 to S46 is not limited to the above example. Further, in response to the [2] button being pressed while the pre-inquiry screen is displayed (S42: NO), the controller 130 ends the inquiry process without executing the processes of S43 to S48 once. .

  Next, returning to FIG. 8, the controller 130 sets the fourth value “OFF” in the notification flag (S39). The process of S39 is an example of a fourth setting process. Next, returning to FIG. 7, the controller 130 again executes the processes after S <b> 11. Next, the controller 130 responds to the fact that “ON” is set in at least one of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flags Y, C, and M even when the process at the time of the cover OPEN is executed (S11: ON) ), The processing after S12 is executed again.

  On the other hand, in response to the fact that “OFF” is set in all of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flags Y, C, and M (S11: OFF), the controller 130 displays the image indicated by the image data included in the recording instruction. Is recorded on the sheet (S15). The process of S15 is an example of a recording process. That is, the recording unit 24 can eject ink when all of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flag Y, C, and M are set to “OFF”, and the hard empty flag and the soft empty flag Y, C, Ink cannot be ejected when at least one of M is set to “ON”.

  More specifically, the controller 130 causes the conveyance unit 23 to convey the sheet supported by the feeding tray 20 to a position facing the recording unit 24 in S15. Next, the controller 130 records an image on the sheet by causing the recording unit 24 to eject ink toward the sheet facing the recording unit 24. Further, the controller 130 causes the conveyance unit 23 to discharge the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 24 to the discharge tray 21.

  Further, the controller 130 counts the ink amount ejected from the recording unit 24 for each ink color in S15, and counts up the corresponding count value (S16). By the process of S16, the difference between the corresponding count value and the previous count value is gradually increased. Note that counting up the count value is not limited to the timing of step S16. For example, a count value corresponding to the amount of ink discharged from the recording unit 24 in a so-called flushing process or maintenance process in which the recording unit 24 discharges ink toward an ink receiving unit (not shown) for maintenance of the recording unit 24. Is counted up.

  It should be noted that the controller 130 detects the hard empty flag in response to the remaining amount signal output from the remaining amount sensor 73 being switched from the first remaining amount signal to the second remaining amount signal while ink is being discharged from the recording unit 24. Set “ON” to. Further, the controller 130 sets “ON” in the corresponding ink-low flag in response to the difference between the counted value counted up and the corresponding second threshold being less than zero. Further, the controller 130 sets “ON” to the corresponding soft empty flag in response to the difference between the counted up count value and the corresponding first threshold being less than zero.

  Next, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S11 to S16 until all the images indicated by the recording instruction are recorded on the sheet (S17: Yes). Then, the controller 130 determines that the user has approached the multifunction device 10 in response to recording all the images indicated by the recording instruction on the sheet (S17: No). That is, the controller 130 determines that the user who has input the recording instruction is near the multifunction device 10 in order to obtain a sheet on which an image is recorded. The process of S17 is an example of a first determination process.

  “The user approaches the multifunction device 10” means, for example, that the user is in an area where the screen displayed on the display unit 15 of the multifunction device 10 can be viewed. In addition, the first determination process according to the present embodiment is a process for estimating the user's proximity according to the state of the multifunction machine 10, instead of directly detecting the user's proximity using a human sensor or the like. However, the controller 130 may directly detect that the user has approached the multifunction machine 10 using a human sensor or the like in the first determination process.

  Next, in response to the determination that the user has approached the multifunction device 10 (S17: No), the controller 130 has a hard empty flag, soft empty flags Y, C, M, and ink-low flags B, Y, C. , M is determined (S18). The process of S18 is an example of a fifth determination process. Then, the controller 130 displays an empty notification screen on the display unit 15 in response to “ON” being set in at least one of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flags Y, C, and M (S18: empty). (S19). In addition, the controller 130 is set to “OFF” for all of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flags Y, C, and M, and “ON” to at least one of the ink low flags B, Y, C, and M. In response to the setting (S18: ink low), an ink low notification screen is displayed on the display unit 15 (S20). The processes of S19 and S20 are an example of a second notification process.

  The empty notification screen displayed in S19 may be the same as S12. The ink-low notification screen is a screen for notifying that the ink chamber 111 will soon become soft empty. More specifically, the character string “INK LOW” and the character string “REFILL INK [*]” are alternately displayed on the ink-low notification screen. [*] Is replaced with characters representing the ink color stored in the ink chamber 111 of the inkrow.

  Then, the controller 130 detects a cover OPEN through the cover sensor 72, until a recording instruction is input, until the operation unit 17 is operated, or when the power supply unit 120 is in a state different from the driving state (that is, a sleep state, The empty notification screen or the ink low notification screen is continuously displayed on the display unit 15 until the switch is turned off or the plug is turned off. The empty notification screen and the ink low notification screen are examples of a second notification screen that notifies that it is necessary to inject ink.

  On the other hand, the controller 130 responds that “OFF” is set in all of the hard empty flag, soft empty flag Y, C, M, and ink low flag B, Y, C, M (S18: ink present). ), The notification control process is executed (S21). In other words, the notification control process is performed in a state where all the ink chambers 111 store ink exceeding the threshold remaining amount, and more specifically, in a state where all the ink chambers 111 are not ink-low, the user approaches the multifunction peripheral 10. It is executed at the timing. The notification control process is a process of notifying the user that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 100 should be visually recognized when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Details of the notification control process will be described with reference to FIG.

[Notification control processing]
First, the controller 130 determines the setting value of the confirmation flag (S51). Next, in response to determining that the first value “ON” is set in the confirmation flag (S51: ON), the controller 130 determines that at least one ink change amount in the ink chamber 111 is the threshold change amount. It is determined whether or not this is the case (S52). That is, the controller 130 determines whether or not there is an ink chamber 111 in which the difference between the corresponding count value and the previous count value is greater than or equal to the threshold change amount. The process of S52 is an example of a second determination process. The threshold change amount according to the present embodiment is, for example, a fixed value determined in advance by the developer of the multifunction machine 10.

  Next, the controller 130 sets the second value “OFF” in the notification flag in response to determining that the ink change amount of all the ink chambers 111 is less than the threshold change amount (S52: No) (S53). . And the controller 130 complete | finishes an alerting | reporting control process, without performing the process of S54-S61.

  On the other hand, in response to determining that at least one ink change amount in the ink chamber 111 is equal to or greater than the threshold change amount (S52: Yes), the controller 130 causes the display unit 15 to display a remaining amount check notification screen ( S54). In addition, in response to determining that the second value “OFF” is set in the confirmation flag (S51: OFF), the controller 130 executes the processing after S54 without executing the processing of S52. Further, the controller 130 sets the third value “ON” in the notification flag (S55). The process of S54 is an example of a first notification process, and the process of S55 is an example of a third setting process.

  The remaining amount check notification screen is an example of a first notification screen that notifies that the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 should be visually confirmed. For example, the character string “CHECK INK VOLUME” and the character string “9.OK” are alternately displayed on the remaining amount check notification screen. Then, the controller 130 continuously displays the remaining amount check notification screen on the display unit 15 until the cover OPEN is detected, a confirmation operation is accepted through the operation unit 17, or until a predetermined time has elapsed (S 56). . The confirmation operation is a user operation corresponding to confirming the remaining amount check notification screen, and corresponds to pressing of the [9] button, for example.

  As an example, a user who has seen the remaining amount check notification screen may visually recognize the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 through the transmission window 71. When a sufficient amount of ink is stored in all the ink chambers 111, the user may press the [9] button. On the other hand, when the amount of ink stored in at least one of the four ink chambers 111 is small, the user may move the cover 70 to the exposed position and inject ink into the ink chamber 111. As another example, the user who has seen the remaining amount check notification screen may immediately move the cover 70 to the exposure position and visually recognize the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111.

  Next, in response to detecting the cover OPEN through the cover sensor 72 during display of the remaining amount check notification screen (S56: cover OPEN), the controller 130 executes processing at the time of the cover OPEN (S57). Note that the processing when “ON” is set in at least one of the ink-low flags B, Y, C, and M (S31: ON) has been described above and is omitted.

  On the other hand, the controller 130 determines the setting value of the notification flag in response to determining that “OFF” is set for all the ink-low flags B, Y, C, and M (S31: OFF) (S32). ). The process of S32 is an example of a fourth determination process. In the process at the time of the cover OPEN executed in S57, the notification flag is always set to the third value “ON” (S32: ON). Then, in response to determining that the third value “ON” is set in the notification flag (S32: ON), the controller 130 executes the processes of S35 to S39 described above.

  Next, returning to FIG. 10, the controller 130 sets the first value “ON” in the confirmation flag, and sets all count values at the time when the processing at the time of the cover OPEN is ended to the corresponding previous count value ( S58, S59), the notification control process is terminated. In S59, in the inquiry process executed in the process immediately before the cover OPEN, all the previous count values are overwritten with the corresponding count values regardless of whether or not the previous count values are initialized. The process of S58 is an example of a first setting process, and the process of S59 is an example of a first update process.

  Further, in response to the [9] button being pressed during display of the remaining amount check notification screen (S56: OK), the controller 130 executes the processing of S58 and S59 without executing the processing of S57. Then, the notification control process ends. Further, the controller 130 detects that the cover OPEN has not been detected and the [9] button has not been pressed until a predetermined time has elapsed since the remaining amount check notification screen was displayed (S56: timeout). Then, the second value “OFF” is set in the confirmation flag, the fourth value “OFF” is set in the notification flag (S60, S61), and the notification control process is terminated. The process of S60 is an example of a second setting process.

  That is, the controller 130 detects the cover OPEN through the cover sensor 72 while the remaining amount check notification screen is displayed (S56: cover OPEN), or the [9] button is pressed while the remaining amount check notification screen is displayed. Accordingly (S56: OK), it is determined that the user has confirmed the remaining amount check notification screen. On the other hand, the controller 130 detects that the cover OPEN has not been detected and the [9] button has not been pressed until a predetermined time has elapsed since the remaining amount check notification screen was displayed (S56: timeout). It is determined that the user has not confirmed the remaining amount check notification screen.

  However, the determination that the user has not confirmed the remaining amount check notification screen is not limited to a case where a timeout has occurred. As another example, the controller 130 receives a user operation through the operation unit 17 that is different from pressing the [9] button when a recording instruction is input to the multifunction device 10 while the remaining amount check notification screen is displayed. The user may determine that the user has not confirmed the remaining amount check notification screen in response to the power supply unit 120 being switched to the power OFF state or the sleep state.

  Note that the user can move the cover 70 to the exposure position at a timing different from S13 and S56. Then, the controller 130 executes processing at the time of the cover OPEN in response to detecting the cover OPEN through the cover sensor 72 at a timing different from S13 and S56. It should be noted that the process (S31: ON) when at least one of the ink-low flags B, Y, C, and M is set (S31: ON), and the third value “ON” is set in the notification flag. Since the process when it is determined that it is determined (S32: ON) has been described above, it will be omitted.

  On the other hand, the controller 130 determines that “OFF” is set for all of the ink-low flags B, Y, C, and M, and determines that the fourth value “OFF” is set for the notification flag. In response to (S31: OFF & S32: OFF), the process waits until the cover CLOSE is detected through the cover sensor 72 (S33: No). Then, in response to detecting the cover CLOSE (S33: Yes), the controller 130 sets all count values at the time of detecting the cover CLOSE to the corresponding pre-count values (S34), S35 to S39. The process at the time of the cover OPEN is ended without executing the process. The process of S34 is an example of a second update process.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, it is possible to periodically prompt the user to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 every time the ink change amount reaches the threshold change amount. Thereby, it can be expected that the user performs the ink injection operation until the ink level becomes lower than the opening of the ink supply unit 151. As a result, even if the count value is not accurately updated, the risk of air-in is reduced. In addition, when the remaining amount of ink is relatively large, a remaining amount check notification screen is periodically displayed. When the remaining amount of ink decreases, the user can be strongly prompted to perform ink injection through the ink low notification screen or the empty notification screen.

  Note that the absolute value of the count value may not accurately represent the actual ink remaining amount in the corresponding ink chamber 111. On the other hand, the difference between the count value and the previous count value represents the ink consumption almost accurately. Therefore, the risk of air-in is reduced by displaying the remaining amount check notification screen at the above timing.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, a user who has confirmed the remaining amount check notification screen is highly likely to inject ink into the ink chamber 111 through the injection port 112. Therefore, it is desirable to execute the inquiry process at this timing and initialize the count value and the previous count value when the first operation is executed. On the other hand, a user who has not confirmed the first notification screen may have opened and closed the cover 70 for purposes other than injecting ink. In this case, when the inquiry process is executed, not only the operation burden on the user increases, but also the count value and the previous count value are initialized by an erroneous operation, and the risk of air-in increases. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable not to execute the inquiry process.

  In addition, a user who has seen the remaining amount check notification screen is highly likely to check the remaining amount of ink in all the ink chambers 111 together. Further, the ink consumption varies among the ink chambers 111. Therefore, if only the pre-count value in which the ink change amount reaches the threshold change amount is updated in S34, S37, and S59, the execution frequency of S54 becomes too high, and the work burden on the user who checks the remaining ink amount increases. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, by updating all the pre-count values in S34, S37, and S59, the process of S54 is performed at an appropriate frequency that achieves both a reduction in the risk of air-in and a reduction in the work burden on the user. Can be executed.

  In addition, the user who has moved the cover 70 is highly likely to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, by updating the previous count value at the timing when the cover CLOSE is detected regardless of whether the remaining amount check notification screen is being displayed (S34, S37), the risk of air-in is reduced. The process of S54 can be executed at an appropriate frequency that achieves both a reduction in the work burden on the user.

  Moreover, according to said embodiment, it can be judged whether the user confirmed the residual amount check alerting | reporting screen with the setting value of the confirmation flag. If the user has not confirmed the previous remaining amount check notification screen, the process of S54 is executed again at the timing when the user comes near the multifunction machine 10 regardless of the amount of ink change. As a result, the ink injection operation can be promoted more effectively.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the remaining amount check notification screen is displayed at the timing when the user comes near the multifunction machine 10. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an ink injection operation. However, the determination that the user has approached the multifunction device 10 is not limited to the end of image recording. As another example, the controller 130 indicates that a recording instruction has been input to the multifunction device 10 and that the power supply unit 120 has been switched from one of the power ON state and the power OFF state to the other (that is, the power button 17B is operated. Or the power supply unit 120 may be determined to have approached in response to the return from the sleep state to the drive state.

  The trigger for the notification control process is not limited to the proximity of the user to the multifunction machine 10. As another example, the controller 130 may count up the number-of-times information stored in the EEPROM 134 every time the maintenance process is executed. Then, the controller 130 may execute the notification control process in response to the number of executions of the maintenance process indicated by the number information reaching the threshold number. The maintenance process is periodically executed regardless of a user instruction. For this reason, it is difficult for the user to recognize the amount of ink consumed by the maintenance process. Therefore, the risk of air-in can be reduced by executing the notification control process at the timing at which the maintenance process is executed a threshold number of times.

  The threshold change amount used in S52 is not limited to a fixed value, and may be a value that changes according to the count value. For example, the threshold change amount may be a value that becomes smaller as the difference between the corresponding first threshold value and the count value is closer to zero. More specifically, the controller 130 may determine the threshold change amount according to the count value closest to the corresponding first threshold value among the four count values B, Y, C, and M. For example, the controller 130 sets the threshold change amount until the count value is consumed from 100% to 50% of the initial value to 20%, and sets the threshold change amount after the count value is consumed 50% or more of the initial value to 10%. % May be set. As a result, the smaller the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111, the higher the frequency of execution of S54, so that the ink injection operation can be more effectively promoted.

  In S52, the controller 130 may further determine whether or not a threshold time has elapsed since the processing of S54 was executed immediately before. This process is an example of a third determination process. Then, in response to determining that the ink change amount is equal to or greater than the threshold change amount and that the threshold time has elapsed, the controller 130 executes the processes after S54. On the other hand, the controller 130 does not execute the processes after S54 in response to determining that the ink change amount is less than the threshold change amount or the threshold time has not elapsed.

  According to the above modification, for example, when image recording is performed on a large number of sheets in a short time, the execution frequency of S54 can be suppressed from becoming too high. That is, the process of S54 can be executed at an appropriate frequency that achieves both a reduction in air-in risk and a reduction in the work burden on the user.

  Further, the trigger of the process of S54 is not limited to the ink change amount reaching the threshold change amount. In the state where all of the hard empty flag and the soft empty flag Y, C, M are set to “OFF”, the controller 130 determines that the threshold time has elapsed since the execution of S54 immediately before, You may perform the process of S54. In other words, the controller 130 may cause the display unit 15 to display a remaining amount check notification screen every time the threshold time elapses.

  According to the above modification, the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 can be periodically checked by the user before the operation of the recording unit 24 is restricted. Thereby, it can be expected that the user performs the ink injection operation until the ink level becomes lower than the opening of the ink supply unit 151. Thereby, even if the count value is not updated correctly, the risk of air-in is reduced.

  Further, the display of the remaining amount check notification screen is not limited to the display unit 15 of the multifunction machine 10. For example, the controller 130 may transmit a notification instruction to the external device through the communication unit 25 in S54. The notification instruction is information for instructing display of a screen having the same content as the remaining amount check notification screen. That is, the controller 130 may display the remaining amount check notification screen on the display unit of the external device connected through the communication network.

  The external device on which the remaining amount check notification screen is displayed may be, for example, an external device capable of transmitting a recording instruction to the multifunction device 10 or an external device in which a so-called status monitor is installed. According to the above modification, not only a user near the multifunction device 10 but also a user who may operate the multifunction device 10 through an external device can be prompted to confirm the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 111. .

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the detected portion 152 and the remaining amount sensor 73 are provided only in the tank 100B has been described. However, the detected portion 152 and the remaining amount sensor 73 are all tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, It may be provided at 100M or may not be provided at all. When all of the tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are provided with the detected portion 152 and the remaining amount sensor 73, the controller 130 determines the remaining amount corresponding to the ink chamber 111 that is the target of the processing of S43 to S46. The remaining amount signal of the sensor 73 may be determined in S45. On the other hand, when the detected part 152 and the remaining amount sensor 73 are not provided at all, the process of S45 is omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the setting values of the hard empty flag, the soft empty flag Y, C, M, and the ink low flags B, Y, C, M are determined in S11, S18, S31 has been described. The specific determination method in S11, S18, and S31 is not limited to the above-described example. As an example, in the case where all the tanks 103 are provided with the detected parts 152 and the remaining amount sensor 73, the hard empty flags Y, C, M are set in place of the soft empty flags Y, C, M in S11, S18. It may be used. As another example, when all the tanks 103 are not provided with the detection target 152 and the remaining amount sensor 73, the soft empty flag B may be used instead of the hard empty flag in S11 and S18.

  As another example, in S11, S18, and S31, it may be determined whether it is hard empty, soft empty, or ink low, instead of determining the set value of the flag. That is, the controller 130 may determine whether the difference between the count value and the first threshold value or the second threshold value is 0 or more in each of the ink chambers 111B, 111Y, 111C, and 111M in S11, S18, and S31. . In S11, the controller 130 may determine whether the remaining amount signal output from the remaining amount sensor 73 is the first remaining amount signal (S11: OFF) or the second remaining amount signal (S11: ON). .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multifunction machine 15 ... Display part 17 ... Operation part 24 ... Recording part 25 ... Communication part 70 ... Cover 72 ... Cover sensor 73 ... Remaining amount sensor 80- ..Maintenance section 100 ... ink tank 111 ... ink chamber 112 ... inlet 130 ... controller 134 ... EEPROM

Claims (16)

An ink chamber for storing ink, and a tank formed with an injection port for injecting ink into the ink chamber;
A recording unit that discharges ink stored in the ink chamber and records an image on a sheet;
A display for displaying a screen;
A controller for controlling the operation of the recording unit and the display unit,
At least a part of the outer surface of the tank is configured so that the ink stored in the ink chamber is visible from the outside,
The recording unit can eject ink only when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is equal to or greater than a threshold remaining amount,
The controller displays a first notification screen for notifying that the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink chamber should be visually recognized when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is equal to or greater than the threshold remaining amount. An inkjet recording apparatus that periodically executes a first notification process to be displayed on the display unit. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a memory that stores a count value that is updated in a direction approaching the first threshold according to the discharge of ink from the recording unit, and a pre-count value.
Whenever the difference between the count value and the previous count value reaches the threshold change amount, the controller
The first notification process;
2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first update process is performed to update the previous count value with the count value at the time when the first notification process is performed. The tank has a plurality of the ink chambers and a plurality of the inlets.
The memory stores a plurality of sets of the count value and the pre-count value corresponding to each of the plurality of ink chambers,
The controller executes the first notification process every time a difference of one of the plurality of sets reaches the threshold change amount,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the first update process, all the previous count values are updated with the corresponding count values. The ink jet recording apparatus
A cover that can be moved between a covering position that covers the inlet and restricts the injection of ink into the ink chamber, and an exposed position that exposes the inlet and allows the injection of ink into the ink chamber;
A cover sensor for detecting the position of the cover,
The controller detects the count value at the time when the cover is moved to the covering position in response to detecting through the cover sensor that the cover has been moved to the exposure position and moved to the covering position again. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a second update process for updating the pre-count value is performed. The above controller
A first determination process for determining whether or not a user has approached the inkjet recording apparatus;
A second determination process for determining whether a difference between the count value and the previous count value is equal to or greater than the threshold change amount in response to determining that the user has approached in the first determination process;
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first notification process and the first update process are executed in response to determining that the amount of change in the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold change amount in the second determination process.   In the first determination process, the controller is configured to input an instruction to record an image on a sheet, to finish processing of the recording unit that records an image on a sheet, and to operate a power button of the inkjet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined that the user has approached in response to the fact that the inkjet recording apparatus has recovered from the sleep state. The above memory stores a confirmation flag,
The above controller
A first value is set to the confirmation flag in response to receiving a confirmation operation indicating that the first notification screen has been confirmed before a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the first notification process. A first setting process;
A second setting process for setting a second value in the confirmation flag in response to not receiving the confirmation operation until a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the first notification process;
In response to determining that the user has approached in the first determination process and the first value is set in the confirmation flag, the second determination process is executed,
In response to determining that the user has approached in the first determination process and setting the second value in the confirmation flag, the first notification process is executed without executing the second determination process. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5.   8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller reduces the threshold change amount as the difference between the first threshold value and the count value is closer to 0 in the second determination process. 9. The above controller
A third determination process for determining whether or not a threshold time has elapsed since the execution of the first notification process immediately before, in response to the determination that the second determination process is greater than or equal to the threshold change amount;
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first notification process and the first update process are executed in response to determining that the third determination process has elapsed. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a maintenance unit that forcibly discharges the ink in the recording unit from the nozzle,
The above controller
A maintenance process in which the maintenance unit causes the recording unit to discharge ink is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals,
A second determination process for determining whether or not a difference between the count value and the previous count value is greater than or equal to the threshold change amount in response to the number of executions of the maintenance process reaching a threshold number;
10. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first notification process and the first update process are executed in response to determining that the threshold change amount is equal to or greater than the threshold change amount in the second determination process. The ink jet recording apparatus
A cover that can be moved between a covering position that covers the inlet and restricts the injection of ink into the ink chamber, and an exposed position that exposes the inlet and allows the injection of ink into the ink chamber;
A cover sensor for detecting the position of the cover;
And an operation unit that accepts user operations,
The above controller
In response to detecting through the cover sensor that the cover has been moved to the exposed position and again moved to the covering position by the user who has confirmed the first notification screen, has ink been injected into the ink chamber? An inquiry process for inquiring whether or not to display the inquiry screen on the display unit and receiving the first operation or the second operation through the operation unit;
In response to receiving the first operation in the inquiry process, an initialization process for initializing the count value and the pre-count value is executed,
The inquiry processing is not executed in response to detecting through the cover sensor that the cover has been moved to the exposure position and moved again to the covering position by a user who has not confirmed the first notification screen. Item 11. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of Items 2 to 10. The above controller
In response to detecting through the cover sensor that the cover has been moved to the exposed position when the first notification screen is displayed, the cover sensor indicates that the cover has been moved to the covering position again. Execute the above inquiry process at the timing detected through
The inquiry processing is not executed in response to detecting through the cover sensor that the cover is moved to the exposure position and moved to the covering position again when the first notification screen is not displayed. 11. An ink jet recording apparatus according to item 11. The memory stores a notification flag,
The above controller
A third setting process for setting a third value in the notification flag in response to the execution of the first notification process;
A fourth setting process for setting a fourth value in the notification flag in response to the execution of the inquiry process;
A fourth determination process for determining a set value of the notification flag in response to detecting through the cover sensor that the cover has been moved to the exposure position;
In response to the determination of the third value in the fourth determination process, the inquiry process is executed at a timing when the cover is detected again through the cover sensor.
12. The inquiry process is not executed at a timing when the cover sensor is detected again through the cover sensor in response to the fourth value being determined by the fourth determination process to be the fourth value. The ink jet recording apparatus described. The above controller
A fifth determination process for determining whether or not the difference between the count value and the second threshold value that becomes 0 before the first threshold value and the difference between the count values is less than 0;
In response to determining that it is less than 0 in the fifth determination process, a second notification process for displaying on the display unit a second notification screen for notifying that it is necessary to inject ink into the ink chamber is executed. And
The first notification process is executed each time the difference between the count value and the previous count value reaches the threshold change amount in a state where the difference between the second threshold value and the count value is 0 or more. Any one of the inkjet recording apparatuses. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device through a communication network.
The above controller
In response to receiving a recording instruction for recording an image on a sheet from the external device through the communication unit, a recording process for causing the recording unit to record an image on the sheet is executed,
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the first notification process, a notification instruction for instructing display of the first notification screen is transmitted to the external device through the communication unit.   The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the controller executes the first notification process every time a threshold time elapses in a state where the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is equal to or greater than the threshold remaining amount. Inkjet recording apparatus.

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